Technology and Competitiveness: A Key to the Economic Future of the United States
JOHN A. YOUNG 1
1 President and chief executive officer of Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA 94304, and chairman, Council on Competitiveness, Washington, DC.
The United States still is a leader in technology and innovation, but American industry has been slow to translate that advantage into commercial success. A major contributing factor is the low status accorded manufacturing in this country and a lack of teamwork among scientists, engineers, and managers. However, there are encouraging signs that these key players in the innovation cycle are recognizing the need to work together to improve products and manufacturing processes and to restore the competitive position of the United States.